Prize winning photographs reveal hidden world of fungi

A PHOTOGRAPHER from Forrest has earned top honours in the inaugural Lorne Community Connect (LCC) photographic prize for a series of fungi-inspired compositions.

Tannar Coolhaas’ work showcasing a variety of fungi forms, responding to the exhibition theme Stilling Time, Sensing Place, was singled out by the judging panel for its technical proficiency, “strong narrative” and “beautiful execution”, earning him a $1,000 cash prize.

This vibrant purple fungi photographed by Coolhaas is only 1.5cm tall. Photo: SUPPLIED

He said in some instances the mushrooms he photographed were mere centimetres tall and joked that the process of finding them involved “a lot of neck pain”.

“That’s part of the fun as well. When I photograph them and I get home and I start editing them, I can see more than I could see with my naked eye.”

Each of the photographs has been taken with macro lenses in natural light and make use of a focus stacking technique that helps to highlight the unique characteristics of each species of fungi.

“Fungi are these transient things. They’re here today and they’re gone tomorrow and that’s how I aim to capture them as well. I try to capture them in their peak expression.”

Approximately 70 people attended the annual exhibition’s opening event on March 28. Photo: SUPPLIED

Coolhaas, who first started photographing these organisms close to 15 years ago, said his process also worked to deepen his connection to the Otway Ranges, where most of the fungi were photographed.

“They’re beautiful forms and colours and textures,” he said.

“There’s not a lot known about Australian fungi.

“If you’re into birds and you go out bird watching, you don’t expect to see a new species of bird, but if you go out fungi hunting and you know the fungi, then you can find new species all the time.

“Only maybe 10 per cent of fungi are actually formerly described in the world.”

LCC president Wendy Hutchison said the judges were particularly impressed with Coolhaas’ dedication as it “takes a lot of patience to photograph fungi”.

She said his work provided “insights into [a] beautiful part of nature” that “most of us wouldn’t even notice”.

Lexie Leonard took out second place in the photographic prize for her series inspired by her childhood home. “Looking at my childhood house with fresh eyes has brought an overwhelming sense of nostalgia to me – I’ve been gone for so long and I can’t begin to fathom how fortunate I am to have a house I’ll miss calling home,” she said in her artist statement.

A runner-up prize of $500 was also awarded to Lexie Leonard for her photograph series of her childhood home.

The exhibition, which opened ahead of Good Friday, is now in its third year, however this is the first year the photographic prize has been on offer.

“We’re very excited to have this first exhibition with a prize and we’re very appreciative of the sponsors, being Mantra and Bells Fine Art Printing,” Ms Hutchison said.

“We hope it’s the start of bigger things. We’re very impressed by the entries into the exhibition and we’re thrilled with the finalists’ work.

“We’re hoping that it will showcase photography in the region and we’re hoping that we can build on our ambitions to give more cultural happenings in Lorne.”